Friday Two Cents: Caring And Fairness – Aspirations To Live By

This past week I witnessed something disturbing that has been on the increase in the past few years; student violence against teachers. I think everyone is aware that since schools were created, there have been some acts of violence when it comes to student upon student. Bullying, fighting and other offences were commonplace in the schoolyard, even in today’s schools. However in recent years the incidents of student violence against teachers is on the rise.

According to a survey by the provincial union for the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, they found that 60% of teachers (both elementary and secondary) have personally experienced violence on the job. The survey was published in June 2017. Some of the highlights of the survey are …

60 per cent of teachers personally experienced violence.

70 per cent of teachers witnessed violence.

26 per cent of teachers took time off due to school violence affecting their mental health.

15 per cent of violent acts involve weapons, 76 per cent of which using classroom objects.

Almost 25 per cent say school administration discouraged them from filing reports or going to the police.

I know many people may be aware of violence against a teacher in the older grades but I have witnessed such violence in the students as young as Kindergarten. On several occasions I has seen students be so violent that the teacher had to remove the other children from the class while the student ransacks the classroom. Does anyone stop them? No. They continue until they are done. Some even continue their rampage into the hall destroying artwork, turning over furniture and hitting other people they see. Then to make matters worst, they may go after the teacher or ECE in the room with an object as a weapon.

Student on a Rampage

Unfortunately that is not the end of the behaviour. I saw that once the student had finished their rampage they are not required to clean up the mess. No, the teacher cleans it up. I look at this and say, “What are we teaching the student? You can destroy public property, hit people and getaway with it?” The last time I checked that is call vandalism and hitting another person with out their consent is called assault. Both are offences in the Criminal Code of Canada but for some reason these students are not charged or their parents held accountable for their actions.

I don’t want to say, “When I was a student …” but unfortunately something has changed. The reality is not simply that I witnessed and was a recipient of student violence against teachers, but there is documented proof that there is an increase. The truly scary thing is that people I knew, family and former friends would not stand for any type of violence against them in their workplace, yet they don’t think this is an issue when it comes to teachers. “If you don’t like it, get a real job.” some would say.

I am not sure what is the answer to this issue, all I know is that there is an issue and colleagues of mine and myself are feeling the strain and physical violence and abuse of these students. Even parents are not concerned with their children being violent to adults and other children. Every parent is out there to look after their child and make sure that they get an education almost and any cost. Yet they forget one vital lesson that is more important than math, reading or writing, they need to learn caring and fairness for others. How is it fair for one student to disrupt the lives of 20 others and the teacher who is trying to help/teach them to be the best person they can be.

Society needs to remember the words that Colin Powell once said …

‘Children need to get a high-quality education, avoid violence and the criminal-justice system, and gain jobs. But they deserve more. We want them to learn not only reading and math but fairness, caring, self-respect, family commitment, and civic duty.’ Colin Powell

About Me

Born and raised in Toronto Canada, I am a certified Elementary teacher working at a school board with children from kindergarten to grade 5. The one thing you should know about me is that I love all art forms but especially drawing, writing and music.

I discovered that when I inspire others, they in turn inspire me. This wonderful realization is the inspiration in creating this blog. My creativity comes from the people around me. Hopefully, I can inspire others as they have inspired me.
I try and post everyTuesday and Friday along the following themes:

Tuesday – I will try to post some of my art or that of the children’s
Friday “Friday Two Cents” – I will try to post my opinion, or my two cents, on something that happened in the news or to me during the week.

But watch out during the other days of the week just in case. If I find something Inspiring, Interesting or Creative, I will do my best to share it